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Inside dingy Melbourne motel room where man was mysteriously murdered

Photos have been released of a bloody crime scene as a family appeals to solve the murder of a man 19 years ago.

Richard Mladenich, 37, was shot at a suburban motel in Melbourne and met a fate his family say he didn’t deserve.

Pictures released by police show a dingy, brick motel room at the Esquire Motel in the beachside suburb of St Kilda, cordoned off with police tape and a near-empty car park and stairwell.

Police say these photos could be the key to solving the 19-year mystery as to who killed Mladenich with a 0.25 calibre self-loading pistol – small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.

A supplied image shows the crime scene at the Esquire Motel where Richard Mladenich was fatally shot in St Kilda, Melbourne.
The hotel room where Richard Mladenich was shot dead with a pistol. Source: AAP
This picture shows Richard Mladenich wearing a Collingwood AFL singlet and folding his arms in a staunch stance. Source: AAP
Richard Mladenich, 37, was the bodyguard for crime boss Carl Williams. Source: AAP

Family of Richard Mladenich heartbroken

Almost two decades after the man was shot, his family continue to live a “nightmare” over the slaying.

Mladenich was a gangland identity, and while his family says he was a bit of a thug, he didn’t deserve to be murdered.

A supplied image shows Richard Mladenich who was fatally shot at the Esquire Motel in St Kilda.
Richard Mladenich was shot dead almost 20 years ago. Source: AAP

“I have not had a decent day for 19 years thinking about what could have happened to my brother,” sibling Marc told reporters on Thursday when police launched another appeal for information to solve the crime.

“He left a heartbroken mother, a brother and a family. He didn’t deserve what he got. He was a good family member ... he was a thug to a certain degree.”

Motel’s reputation for drugs and prostitution

Mladenich, who was crime boss Carl Williams’ bodyguard, was killed in front of three people in the St Kilda hotel room on May 16, 2000.

The motel was well-known for drugs and prostitution, but the motive for the killing remains unknown, Detective Acting Sergeant Jesse Maxwell said.

“There is still someone in our community who committed an extremely violent and life-ending act and that person needs to be held to account,” he said.

A maroon car is parked outside the cordoned off Esquire Motel in St Kilda. Source: AAP
The Esquire Motel in Melbourne's beachside suburb of St Kilda. Source: AAP

"We believe this is solvable and we intend on solving it."

Detective Sergeant Maxwell said there were people still alive who knew why Mladenich was killed and by whom, and several were involved in the organisation of the slaying, and the aftermath.

"Richard deserves his justice. Richard never deserved to die in the way he did," he said.

It is believed the shooter entered the motel room through an unlocked door.

This picture shows the near-empty car park at the Esquire Motel in St Kilda in Melbourne.
The car park at the Esquire Motel where Richard Mladenich was murdered. Source: AAP

"Over 19 years have gone, people's allegiances and loyalties change," Detective Sergeant Maxwell said.

"A lot of people who were big players back then are not around. So perhaps the fear of talking has passed. Maybe they’ve seen the light and (will) come forward."

Family unaware of gangland associations

Mr Mladenich was childhood friends with Williams' wife, Roberta.

Marc said the family was unaware of his gangland associations.

"We want for the coward who did this to be put away for a long time," the brother said.

A supplied comfit of man wearing a hoodie and sunglasses, believed to be involved in killing Richard Mladenich.
An image of a man wanted over the killing of career criminal Richard Mladenich. Source: AAP

"He deserves to be incarcerated like my brother has been. I want justice for my brother and my family."

Victoria Police have previously been criticised for offering a $1 million reward to solve the gangland killing, given Mladenich's criminal links. That reward still stands.

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